Leng Wushuang glanced at him: "First, absorb the Qi of the void between heaven and earth, then absorb the vitality of the first nascent Yang. Only then can the Qi refining reach perfection."

Li Muzhan hesitated for a moment, "Is absorbing Yin to supplement Yang the art of male-female sexual cultivation?"

"Precisely." Leng Wushuang nodded.

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile, "Isn't that an evil art?"

"Absorbing Yin to supplement Yang, if done solely by taking, it naturally harms the other party and is an evil art. But if done correctly, where both mutually nourish Yin and Yang, it is not an evil art but a marvelous technique," Leng Wushuang stated.

Li Muzhan said, "Lake Master, I am utterly alone now..."

"It will take you many years before you reach the final step of your cultivation," Leng Wushuang replied.

As she spoke these words, her expression was placid and detached, as if discussing trivial matters. Li Muzhan, in contrast, felt somewhat petty.

Li Muzhan asked, "In the Lake Master's estimation, how many years will it take me to reach that step?"

Leng Wushuang gazed out over the lake, pondered for a moment, raised her slender, pale hand, and counted on her fingers. She mused, "First, absorb the essence-Qi of the Five Elements, then transform it into Yin-Yang Qi, and finally take the vitality of the nascent Yang... It could be as little as thirty or forty years, or as much as a lifetime spent in vain, depending entirely on your efforts."

Li Muzhan caught the implication in her words and offered a bitter smile, "So success is uncertain?"

"This ancient Qi Refining Art was only successfully practiced in antiquity. No one has achieved it in modern times. It is a secret transmission of the Star Lake Lake Master, and it's likely been several hundred years since it was passed down to this generation... This technique has exceedingly harsh requirements for aptitude; if one's talent does not align, practicing it will be useless and even harmful," Leng Wushuang explained.

Li Muzhan asked, "Lake Master, can I truly succeed?"

The more profound the martial art, the greater the risk of backlash; this has always been the case, an eternal dilemma.

"Your meridians are all clear, and your spirit is firm and powerful. It would be a waste for you to practice anything else. You can attempt this Ancient Qi Refining Art," Leng Wushuang said.

Li Muzhan remained indecisive.

He was contemplating his retreat path. If he truly committed to this ancient art, he might never be able to leave the Star Lake Hermitage. If he left, it would surely bring endless trouble to Canghai Mountain.

"Let me be clear with you," Leng Wushuang said, showing no impatience at his hesitation, calmly stating, "The first step of the Ancient Qi Refining Art is absorbing the Qi of the void. This demands an extremely high state of mind, requiring one to achieve the unity of Heaven and Man. In this state, the void merges with the body, breaking down the boundaries... Moreover, one must maintain this state of Heaven-Man unity for a prolonged period; if the duration is too short, there won't be enough time to absorb the Qi of the void."

"The longer you maintain it, the more Qi you absorb, and the faster your progress. However, you must also guard against being assimilated by the void of heaven and earth, lest your spirit drifts away eternally, unable to return. This demands a tenacious and powerful spirit," Leng Wushuang explained.

Li Muzhan slowly nodded. Even during his meditative cultivation, he had to be wary of inner demons and the separation of his spirit from the body, needing to avoid complete immersion in illusions, able to both enter and withdraw at will.

Leng Wushuang continued, "Your spirit is powerful and tenacious, making you most suited to cultivate this art. Furthermore, since your hundred meridians are open, your progress will be even swifter. Perhaps you can truly achieve perfection!"

……………………………………, Li Muzhan nodded with emotion, "Since that is the case, please impart this art to me, Lake Master. I shall strive to cultivate it diligently!"

"Good." Leng Wushuang revealed a faint smile.

She instructed, "Absorbing the Qi of the void must be done step by step. A single misstep or deviation could result in mortal danger... First, the Five Element Qi, then the Yin-Yang Qi, and finally the nascent Yang Qi. Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth—these correspond to the five visceral organs of the body: Gold to the Lungs, Wood to the Liver, Water to the Kidneys, Fire to the Heart, and Earth to the Spleen. Absorbing these five Qi strengthens the five viscera and six bowels, ensuring no illness arises."

Li Muzhan nodded. This bore some similarity to his Indestructible Vajra Divine Art; ultimate martial arts inevitably touch upon the Dao, and mutual resonance was natural.

"Heaven and Earth were chaotic until Pangu split the sky to form the universe; therefore, the Earth Qi comes first. You must begin by absorbing the Earth Qi from the void." Leng Wushuang directed.

Li Muzhan asked, "To what level must one cultivate before it is considered complete?"

Leng Wushuang explained, "The Spleen fills, reaching the Sea of Qi below the navel. Once the Sea of Qi is full, it moves to the Dantian, then to the Middle Dantian (Shanzhong), and finally to the throat. There are five layers in total. When the throat is full, minor completion is achieved... After achieving minor completion with the Earth Qi, you then absorb the Gold Qi, followed by Water Qi, then Wood Qi, then Fire Qi. Finally, with the Five Elements complete, you absorb the Yin and Yang Qi, and the nascent Yang Qi."

"Five layers..." Li Muzhan slowly nodded.

Leng Wushuang pointed out, "For an ordinary person, after absorbing the Qi, they must still train their meridians, opening all channels throughout the body, which consumes immense effort. You are congenitally open through all hundred meridians, saving countless mental exertion—you have gained a massive advantage."

Li Muzhan laughed, "It seems Heaven has favored me greatly."

"Indeed. Therefore, you must work even harder to live up to such natural talent!" Leng Wushuang insisted.

Li Muzhan nodded solemnly, "Yes, Lake Master, rest assured!"

"I will first impart the incantation for absorbing Earth Qi," Leng Wushuang announced.

With that, she recited an incantation in a gentle voice. Li Muzhan listened intently, then repeated it word for word, ensuring not a single mistake.

After Li Muzhan finished, confirming his accuracy, she added, "Li Zhu, as the Dharma is not to be heard by just anyone, this incantation cannot be written down, nor can it be taught to others. You must swear a deadly oath."

Li Muzhan raised his palm and swore the oath without hesitation.

This set of incantations was quite complex. Nine breaths constituted one cycle, with specific mouth shapes and sounds for each inhale and exhale, totaling eighteen phonetic symbols, resembling the notes of the pentatonic scale.

Leng Wushuang instructed, "This method is simple; the key lies in the state of mind. If you cannot achieve the unity of Heaven and Man, merely performing the breathing and exhalation, no matter how accurate or refined, will fail to truly absorb the Qi of the void."

Li Muzhan nodded in understanding.

Leng Wushuang asked, "You must be adept at entering meditative stillness. I need not elaborate further, do I?"

Li Muzhan started, looking up at her.

Leng Wushuang offered a faint smile, "Powerful spirit may be innate, but tenacity requires post-natal tempering, much like forging iron. Besides Buddhist Zhìguān and Daoist static cultivation, there is no other way."

……………………………………………………………… Li Muzhan slowly nodded, "I once found a volume of the Vajra Sutra in a mountain cave. When I felt lonely, I would recite it, and my heart felt calm and comfortable, and my spirit became very good. I thought it was due to practicing my saber techniques, but perhaps it was due to the Buddhist scripture?"

Leng Wushuang nodded, "Saber techniques cannot strengthen the spirit. It must have been the Buddhist scripture. When you recited it, you must have entered a state similar to Buddhist Chán (Zen) meditation—a case of stumbling upon the right path."

Li Muzhan grinned, shaking his head repeatedly.

Leng Wushuang observed, "Buddhist Dharma possesses incredible power. Your hundred meridians being open might also be the result of reciting scriptures. Where is that Buddhist text you possessed?"

Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile, "It was destroyed long ago. It got soaked in the rain one time, the characters blurred into an incomprehensible mess, so I threw it away. But this scripture was no different from the Vajra Sutra."

Leng Wushuang looked at him for a moment, then nodded, "Perhaps your state of mind was compatible."

She dropped the subject and instructed, "Before you practice breathing and refining Qi each time, first recite the scripture to enter stillness and merge with Heaven and Earth. Practice this for a month and see if you can enter the gate."

Li Muzhan gasped, "A month?"

Leng Wushuang nodded, "Yes. Entering the gate within a month is considered fast. Maintaining the Heaven-Man unity state of mind while not forgetting the breathing technique requires natural talent."

"Yes, Lake Master," Li Muzhan replied.

Leng Wushuang stated, "For this month, you will join me in secluded retreat on the mountain."

Li Muzhan agreed with a nod.

Leng Wushuang waved her hand, "Very well. Return and pack your things; come back tomorrow morning."

Li Muzhan cupped his hands in a respectful bow and departed, immediately pondering the eighteen phonetic symbols. He shaped his mouth, testing the sounds; every single one was exceedingly strange.

Each of these eighteen sounds was bizarre, entirely different from contemporary accents, posing a severe challenge to the tongue. Furthermore, the intonation had to be precise; it wasn't just the four standard tones but eight, with subtle differences that were incredibly hard to grasp.

Even with total recall, Li Muzhan found the learning process difficult, but thankfully, since he would be in seclusion with Leng Wushuang starting tomorrow, he could ask for guidance anytime.

When he returned to the training grounds in the main courtyard, he saw Xu Xiaorou standing by the edge, clad in a soft, emerald green robe, quietly observing everyone practicing.

Everyone was training with focused concentration, eyes straight ahead, executing their forms precisely, acting as if they hadn't noticed Xu Xiaorou at all. Li Muzhan chuckled inwardly at the sight.

Hearing footsteps, Xu Xiaorou turned her head and, seeing him, beckoned lightly. She drifted gracefully to his side: "Junior Brother Li, let's go speak outside!"

Li Muzhan acknowledged her, glanced at the crowd with their peculiar expressions, and left with her.

………………………………”……………………………… "Junior Brother Li, we are leaving," Xu Xiaorou announced.

The two descended the mountain along the stone-stepped path and walked along the lake shore. The clear lake water shimmered, illuminating her eyes.

Li Muzhan asked, "Returning to White Cloud City?"

"Yes." Xu Xiaorou nodded.

Li Muzhan’s brow furrowed slightly, "How are we returning to White Cloud City?"

Xu Xiaorou replied, "It's nothing to worry about; Sanxiao Hall won't dare to do anything to us."

Li Muzhan shook his head, "How can Junior Brother Lin just let things slide?" Besides, we abandoned the Beijiang Sword Sect. Perhaps that Zhao fellow is still waiting!"

Xu Xiaorou explained, "We are returning to White Cloud City precisely to clarify things with Altar Master Lin. While we don't fear Sanxiao Hall, we also don't wish to make enemies without cause."

"Altar Master Lin might not easily forgive this matter," Li Muzhan countered.

Every parent believes their child is the best and cannot tolerate the slightest grievance suffered by them. Even Altar Master Lin, despite his high rank and power, is susceptible to human sentiment.

"Altar Master Lin is a reasonable man; he wouldn't dare make a rash move," Xu Xiaorou smiled.

Li Muzhan shook his head. When his own son is involved, even the most rational person gets angry. Provoked by Lin Ping, he might do something unpredictable.

Xu Xiaorou laughed, "Junior Brother Li, stop frowning so deeply. Are we giving up White Cloud City just because we fear Sanxiao Hall? What would our Star Lake Hermitage become then?"

Li Muzhan’s brow remained furrowed, "Is it only Senior Sister Zhang, Senior Sister He, and you three?"

Xu Xiaorou smiled reassuringly, "No, there are three other Senior Sisters following discreetly. The Lake Master’s arrangements are meticulous and foolproof, rest assured!"

Li Muzhan let out a long breath, and the tension in his brow eased.

"What martial art did you learn?" Xu Xiaorou inquired.

Li Muzhan replied, "It's a Qi Refining Art. I’m going into seclusion with the Lake Master for a month starting tomorrow. Does the Lake Master treat every disciple like this?"